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Anytime News Network In a significant step towards enhancing freight train safety and standardising maintenance practices across Indian Railways, the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) successfully conducted a Knowledge Sharing Workshop on wagon-related safety and maintenance issues at the Indian Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (IRIMEE), Jamalpur, from 15 to 16 January 2026.
Organised by the Wagon Directorate of RDSO, the two-day workshop aimed at disseminating the latest wagon maintenance instructions, sharing field-level operational experiences, and ensuring uniform adoption of best practices across all Zonal Railways. The initiative reflects RDSO’s continued commitment to strengthening safety systems and improving operational reliability in freight train operations.
The workshop focused on several critical safety and maintenance aspects, including improvements in bogies and their sub-assemblies, enhancements in air brake systems, analysis of train parting incidents along with corrective and preventive measures, and improvement initiatives related to wheel, CTRB (Cartridge Tapered Roller Bearings) and adapters. These topics are vital for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and longevity of freight wagons operating on the Indian Railways network.
Around 100 officers and supervisors from various Zonal Railways, directly involved in freight train maintenance and operations, actively participated in the workshop. Subject matter experts from the Railway Board, RDSO’s Wagon Directorate, and IRIMEE delivered detailed technical lectures and led interactive sessions, providing participants with in-depth insights into recent developments, safety concerns, and updated maintenance protocols.
A key highlight of the workshop was the practical exposure visit conducted on 16 January 2026, which enabled participants to correlate theoretical concepts with on-ground wagon maintenance practices. During the interactive sessions, participants openly shared field challenges, operational issues, and feedback, leading to meaningful technical discussions and collective problem-solving.
The exchange of real-time operational experiences helped enhance understanding of recent instructions, identify potential safety gaps, and explore practical solutions for improving wagon performance and reliability. The collaborative learning environment reinforced the importance of consistency and standardisation in wagon maintenance practices across different railway zones.
The workshop successfully achieved its intended objectives and is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing wagon safety, improving maintenance practices, and ensuring the uniform implementation of wagon maintenance standards across Indian Railways. Such knowledge-sharing initiatives are vital for strengthening the freight transportation system and supporting the safe and efficient movement of goods nationwide.
